Contour lounge chair



Feb. 27, 1968 J. A. GALE CONTOUR LOUNGE CHAIR 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 14, 1966 R. z ,MA

%amy

Feb. 27, 1968 J. A. GALE 3,370,885

CONTOUR LOUNGE CHAIR Filed March 14, 1966 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 20: E\ V I v K Kaos N \/2 --5 I /7b zoe 20 INVENTOR.

Jimv 9 4445 Feb. 27, 1968 J. A. GALE 3,370,885

CONTOUR LOUNGE CHAIR Filed March 14, 6 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I N VEN'] UR.

To/m A. 6415 United States Patert O 3,370,885 CONTOUR -LOUNGE CHAIR V John A. Gala, Wayzata, Minn., assignor to John Gale Company, ^Mjnneapoiis, 'Min., a Corporation of Minnesota Filed Mar. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 534,235 3-Claims. (CI. 297-328) ABSTRACT OF THE `DISCLOSURE A seating 'structure particularly defining a contoured louuge chair and embodying an occupant receiving lamina providing a back rest portion, a seating portion and a .depending leg supporting portion, all formed in a con- In general the purpose of this chair is to define a seating area shaped and formed to the general configuration of an occupanfs body in a seated position. The body support area due to the particular material used, the type of molding employed and the particular design concepts incorporated into the chair lends a certain cushioning efiect and more positive conformance to the occu ant@ body than chairs heretofore available of similar materials.

The particular concepts embodied in this chair include certain supporting and positioning devices to permit 'its use as an adjustable type contour chair whereby the i various positions available lend a further higher degree of comfort to the occupant. Positive positioning devices as incorporated into the chair do not require any additional foreign material or fastening connectors but rather due to a snap action type design incorporating portions of the chair's material, the chair is positively locked into position upon a support frame and is only removable therefrom upon the application of a removal force. This positive locking and positioning feature of course is most desirable should the chair be produced in a small child size unit.

Another aspect of the particular locking and positioning device on the chair includes a set of parallelly spaced groove members which will permit the chair to be used as a rocking chair upon a standard tubular frame unit thus adding to the useability of the chair.

Generally the chair consists of a pair of spaced lamna having a cavity therebetween which cavity is provided with air, which air emphasizes the cushioning eect obtained 'for the chair. The chair having a particular 'basis of design afiords structural stability to carry occuparts of any size and weight while the material from which the chair is formed, if the material were to be taken as a single sheet Would not afiord the strength and rigidity for the support of such Weight. Therefore, 'the unit while employing resilient, comfort obtaining material will still atford the necessary structural rigidity to support persons of various weights.

It is therefore an object of applicanfs invention to provide a new and unique louuge chair incorporating a new and unique design process for moldng a continuous supporting'and hacking portion for a chair unit and delning a cavity therebetween which continuous supporting and hacking surface provide the structural trigidity necessary for. proper occupant retaning.

A further object ofthe invention is to provide a chair wherein no structural supports are required internally of the chair and this particular structural elimination allows the production .of a complete chair in a singular operation.

It is a further object `oflapplicant'sinvention to provide a contour chair including-a 'front and back lamina formed intoa single cavityclosing unit which continuity of surface design .encapsulating the cavity provides the necessary rigidityto the chair to support an occupant.

:It is a further object of applicanfs invention to provide a contour louuge chair or-the likehaving a plurality of integrally molded positioning elements on .a lower lamina thereof such that the occupant retaining portion of the chair may be positioned at a plurality of dtterent locations to add to the comfort of the chair.

It is a further object of applicanfs inventon to provide a contour louuge chair or the like which closely conforms to the general ,configuration of an occupanfs body in either a seated or upright position and wherein the body support portion provides a certain amount of resiliency and therefore c'omfort due to the particular material and particular aircavity encapsulating principle incorporated therein.

These and other o'bjects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and .in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective View of a preferred form of a chair embodying the concepts of applicanfs invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section taken substantally along line 2-2 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the chair illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevaton of the chair illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a section taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevaton of a modified form of the chair;

FIG. 7 is a partial vertical section taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation of the portion of the chair illustrated in FIG. 7.

In accordance with the accompanying drawings the louuge contour chair embodying the concepts of the inventon is generally designated 10' and consists primarily of an upper 11 and lower 12 lamina joined integrallyat thepeipheral edge 13 therearound such that an internal air cavity 14 is defined between the panele 11-12.

The method of producing this chair as presently contemplated includes such well known means as roto molding or blow `molding of polyethylere and similar other plastc 'materials but basically the principle involved in applicanfs concept is to provide Van integrally molded pair of spaced la-mina which spacing therebetween provides an air enclosing cavity which adds to the resiliency of the chair and wherein the integrally formed continuous surface of lamina 11-12 joined integrally at the peripheral edges'provides the necessary strength and rigidity such that the chair may easily support an occupant.

In the basic structure of applicanfs lounge chairrthe upper panel includes a back rest portion lla, a .seating portion 11b and a depending leg supporting portion 116, all formed integrally into one continuous panel. Likewise for comfort of the occupant a pair of arms 11d-11e are provided and extend genera lly upward from the bottom seating portion 11b and forward from back rest portion 1111. As illustrated in the figures, due to the specific type of molding processes used the back rest la, seating portion 1117 may be provided with ribbing 15 thereon which would permit a certain higher degree of fiexibility over certain portions of the chair and thereby provide what could be termed as a high comfort area in the chair. This ribbing would be integrally formed into the' mold and as the material flows therearound certain areas of high flexibility would be provided.

The back panel 12 in the form shown consists of a generally arcuate portion 12a underlying the back and seat rest portions ll-llb With a depending underlying leg support portion 12b extending outwardly and forwardly therefrom to coincide with and cooperate with the depending leg support portion 110 spaced thereabove.

As best illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIGA 3 and FIG. 4 two sets 16-17 of cross indexing members are provided. These indexing devices, in the form shown, consist of a plurality of spaced grooves 16a and flats 1617 extending transversely across the width of the back lamina 12 approximately behind the back support portion lla of the front lamina 11 and a second group 19 of corresponding locating grooves 1711 and flats 17b extending transversely across the chair at the approximate point of intersection between the curvilinear back panel 12a and the depending leg supporting panel 12b. In the form shown these grooves 16a-17a and flats 16b-17b are provided to positively capture selected portions of a support frame generally designated 20 therein. The curvilinear spacing between corresponding grooves 16a-17a is designed to receive the transverse portions ?Ala-2017 of frame `20 therein and the shape of the particular groove 16a-17a will tend to form substantially about the transverse frame portions 20a-20b and provide a snap Connector action therebetween. As illustrated in FIG. 2 five sets of grooves are provided and this number will provide a wide selection of positions for the chair. The particular shape of the individual grooves 16a-17b is such that as the transverse members 20a-26b are received therein a capturing fit is provided; this fit is accomplished due not only to the particular design of the flats and grooves but also to the material itself as a certain amount of resiliency is obtained therein.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and a pair of parallel, longitudinally extending curvlinearly arranged grooves lla- 21b are provided to extend about the curvilinear back lamina 12 and as illustrated are arranged to be in meeting association with the groove portions 16a-17a of the cross indexing members. These grooves 21a-21d as illustrated in their cross section in FIG. 5 include a substantially arcuate frame engaging portion 21a-21b which portion is displaced inwardly from a downwardly depending portion 12c-12d of the back lamina 12. Inward spacing of the arcuate grooves Zla-Zlb permits the frame mernber 20 to more closely underlie the occupant retaining portion of the chair. The back lamina portion 12 of the chair is so shaped about the longitudinally extending grooves 21a-21b so as to provide an inner abutting shoulder 21c-21d inwardly of the respective grooves to prevent the chair from slipping outwardly over the respective frame portions contained in the grooves. Likewise as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, this inwardly arranged shoulder 21c-21d is the lowermost portion of the back lamna 12 and may suitably operate as the general supporting surface for the chair should the chair be placed directly ou the ground. It is possible that the chair could be used on a fiat surface and when so used inner abutting shoulders 21c-21d will rest on the surface and support the entire chair thereon.

The frame designed for this specific form of chair includes a curvilinear frame member designated 206 which is receivable into the respective grooves 21a-21b on either side of the chair and which is agreeably tted to the grooves such that the radius of the chair and the radius of the frame is mutualy acecptable to permit Shifting thereof entirely therealong while maintaining supporting contact on this portion Zic of the frame 20. From this specific frame construction it should be obvious that the chair may 'be shifted from any of the cross indexing grooves 16a-17a while being supported on the curved frame section 200 such that the desired position of the grooves with the main transverse frame members 20a-20b may be easily attainable.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the frame structure contemplated for use with this preferred form of the invention includes a second supporting member 20e which has a radius of curvature substantially different than the first mentioned curved frame member Zflc ordinarily contact ing the chair 10. This second frame portion 20e is designed to normally serve a stability and support function but also, i

provides another use when the frame 20 is inverted. In the inverted position the diiference in radius of curvature between the frame members 203 and the radial grooves 21a-21b of the chair permit rocking movement of the chair on the frame members 2022 while the frame is still suificiently supported within' the arcuate groove portions 21c-21b for-med on the chair. When used in this particular manner a second function is given to this chair and instead of being simply a comfortable lounge contour chair the chair may be used as a rocking contour chair.

When used as such a rocking contour chair the frame is inverted upon the cross members ZO-Zflb for support thereby and the chair is limited in its rocking rotation due to the front portions Zflf and rear portions Zog of the frarne. These portions 20 and 20g will come into contact with the underside lamina 12 of the chair and prevent complete rotation of the chair.

-It should be noted in this preferred form that the individual elements forming the occupant supporting portion of the chair which include the back rest portion 1151, the seating portion 11b and the leg rest portion 11c are angularly contour-ed with respect to one another such that upon the application of a weight thereto the chair wil-l conform more closely to an individual's body. This particular conformance is due to the straight line relationship between the various elements in that the straight lines are free to fiex into the various necessary shapes of conformance and rather than a curved structure, which is difficult to bend from a normal shape these portions can bend to form a degree of resiliency unobtainable in normally roundly contoured chairs. It should be obvious however that in chairs varying in sizes such as the produc tion of this type of chair for use by a child that the angularity will not be as important and the internal surface of the chair could substantially approximate a curve.

It should be noted on this particular form of the chair that the frame retaining grooves 16a-17a of the position indexing units are designed in accordance with the physical properties of the material employed to positively confined frame portions 20a-20b therein while permitting easy removal thereof for changing position. The particular design of the grooves 16a-17a provides the confinement for the frame by constructing the grooves 16a-17a of slightly smaller dimension than the cross members 20a- 201) and wherein the resiliency and flexibility of the material permits a positive snap type action.

A second form of the chair is illustrated in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 and in this case again the chair 10 consists of a front panel 11 and a rear panel 12 which substantially includes the elements heretofore recited with the elimination of the index positioning grooves 16-17a and flats 16b-17b. Rather in this specific form of the chair the longitudinal groove 30 underlying the chair is provided as a capturing element to positively capture the arcuate frame portion therein. Again the arcuate groove 30 is otfset inwardly from a downwar-dly depending portion 3la. of the back lamina 12 of the chair. This inward offset is designed to particularly position the frame mem-ber 32 more closely below the occupant confining space of the chair. In this particular shape it should be noted that a first depending portion of the arcuate groove 30 designated 33 is provided in close association t-o the downwardly depending portion 31 of back panel 12 and extends upwardly therefrom to form thearcuate connecting frame retaining member 30 and thence downwardly and again outwardly to a point 34 which is designed to be in position to slightly wrap around the internal frame member 32 thus forming a positive capturing element therein and provide a friction surface upon the frame member 32. As best llustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 this arcuate frame retaining portion 30 tends to, when weight is applied thereto, grasp and more closely encircle about the frame portion 32 such that the chair is possibly positioned with respect to the frame. By using this particular capturing device applicant has eliminated the necessity of providing the transverse indexing -ats and grooves on the back lamina 12 of t-he chair and relies solely upon the capturing groove 39 engaging an agreeably curved portion 32 of the general frame 35. In this particular form it is not necessary that the cross traversing pieces are provided for the frame but rather the curved portion of the frame 32 must closely match the radius ot" the contoured groove 39 on the rear of the chair. With the particular groove desi n employed herein which is reactionary to the weight appded to the chair and which design increases the positioning friction as weight is applied thereto, the chair is easily shiftable upon the frame 32 when weight is removed therefrom and thus the chair may be shifted into a plurality of positions.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8, a plurality of longitudinally extending rib members 40 may be provided in underlying relationshp to the occupant retaining seat portion of the chair. These ribs 40 may be integrally molded i-nto the chair and then ribs add a certain amount of strength and rigidity to the chair. It should be noted that these ribs 40 serve a functional purpose only on the back lamina of the chair and no comparable ribs nor indication of ribs is provided on the front lamina 11. The primary difference between the two forms of chair illustrated are the positive indexing features of the preferred form which include the transversely molded grooves and flats along selected spaced portions of the chair and the longitudinal capturing grooves formed curvilinearly along the sides of the chair in the modified form of the chair.

It should be obvious that applicant has provided a new and unique contour lounge chair or the like which incorporates a pair of spaced lamina providing a continuous supporting surface therearound which surface being continuous provides the necessary rigidity and support to the chair and that applicant's concept further includes the molding of integral and -functional elements into the chair for permitting either selective or infinite placement of a chair into various positions. The chair 'as designed incorporates a concept of moldng such a continuous seating device from a plastic material such that a certain degree of resiliency and fiexibility is obtained for the material and the chair is su-bstantially homogeneous throughout which again eliminates certain manufacturing and technical problems in the production of the chair.

Although applicant has often mentioned the production of this chair through roto-casting processes it should be obvious to anyone skilled in the art that this is not the only method that could be utilized. Likewise the limitation of a plastic material is only important when discussing certain production processes and it should be obvious that the materials from which they could be provided Would include both metals and non-metals.

The chair in itself though being unique is further unique when assumed with and used with the types of frames supplied, which frames are designed to permit infinite adjustment in one form and permit selective adjustment along with a certain -functional rocking aspect in a separate form.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangements and proportion of parts without departing from the scope of my invention, which generally stated consists in the matter set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A seating device including:

(a) an upper occupant supporting lamina providing a continuous back and seat portion;

(b) a lower lamina spaced from said upper lamina defining a cavity therebetween;

(c) said upper and lower lamina integrally formed at their peripheral edges to provide a continuous surface substantially enclosing the cavity;

(d) frame receiving element formed integrally in said lower lamina extending longitudinally therealong extending from and underlying at least a portion of said seat portion of said upper lamina to a portion of said back portion of said upper lamina, said frame receiving element being of constant radius along at least selected portions thereo'f; and

(e) frarne section adapted for mounting on a support surface With a portion t'hereof receivable into said frarne receiving element, said frame portion being of constant radius whereby said seating device is rotatably rockable on said frame.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wheren said frame receiving element includes at least a pair of groove elements arranged parallelly and longitudinally of said lower lamina and formed integrally thereof, arranged to receive `a frame element therein to positively capture the same, permitti-ng longitudinal shifting and positioning the'ealong.

3. The structure set forth in claim 2 wheren said grooves are designed and arranged to frictionally capture a frame portion therein normally preventing removal thereof and providing a snap type connection therebetween.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 326,241 9/ 1885 Preston 297 131 650,448 5/ 1900 Beebe 297-329 2,313,023 3/ 1943 Ruegger 297 329 2,751,970 6/ 1956 Smith 297-325 2,764,228 9/ 1956 Donohue. 2,78S,733 3/ 1957 Witty 297-258 3,061,374 10/ 1962 Grosfillex. 3,111,344 11/1963 Hoven et al 297--452 3,142,512 7/ 1964 Hamilton et al 297-32O 3,144,271 8/ 1964 Lieberman et al 297-329 3,232,574 2/ 1966 Ferro 297-329 FOREIGN PATENTS 672,824 9/ 1929 France.

FRANC'IS K. ZUGEL, Primary Exam'ner. 

